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Sempervivum Pineapple Paradise

NaseemBanuNaseemBanu Posts: 72
in Plants
Hello. I bought this plant back in April and planted it up with other succulents in suitable, gritty, very free-draining medium. The planter has a lot of holes in it and I have lined it with broken crocks.

Whilst initially I was delighted to see it grow and produce flowers, you will see from the photos that the mother plant has died. This is upsetting. Have I done something wrong? 

Posts

  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    I don’t know enough about these plants to advise you but , are you quite sure it is dead ? These type of succulents do go a little dormant after flowering I’ve found ,in the short time I’ve been growing them . 
    Wait and see if anyone else sees your message who can help more than I can . But ,no I don’t think you’ve made an error at all . 
  • NaseemBanuNaseemBanu Posts: 72
    bcpathome thank you for your reply. I take heart from your message. I will wait and hope that all is not lost.
  • msqingxiaomsqingxiao Posts: 482
    I think sempervivums do die after flowering. If your plant was already quite big when you bought it, it is likely a mature plant and they usually flower after 3yrs. They usually produce rosettes before they die which can be cut off and propagated into new plants. The websites below mentioned that if they don't like the growing conditions they can flower prematurely as well. I think they like plenty of sunshine, and I've got no experience growing them outdoors. One of my indoor small ones growing in shade flowered quite maturely and died.

    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/hens-chicks/drying-leaves-on-hens-and-chicks.htm
    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/hens-chicks/hens-and-chicks-flowers.htm
  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    Can confirm that they die after flowering. You have done nothing wrong. This happens if they are growing indoors or outside. It would seem that the plant you bought hadn't got around to producing offspring but they are usually very prolific. I have had some sempervivums for years that haven't flowered but continue fill pots with their offspring. If you take the plunge again, once a rosette has produced a flower and it has died off, carefully ease it out of the soil and any new sempervivums that have grown from the parent plant will continue to grow and multiply. The ones in my photo have been in the pot for about a year.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Just noticed that you have London Pride in your pot too. This likes some shade.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • NaseemBanuNaseemBanu Posts: 72
    msqingxiao, many thanks for your reply. It was quite large when I bought it. 

    Ceres, thank you also for your message. It is sad that this plant did not produce any offspring. I guess I will have to be content with the amazing show it gave through flowering. 

    GardernerSuze, thank you for the advice re. London Pride plant. I was unaware that it likes shade. It looks happy and produced a flower stem. I will move it into the shade. 
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    NaseemBanu said:
    Hello. I bought this plant back in April and planted it up with other succulents in suitable, gritty, very free-draining medium.
    Have I done something wrong? 
    I think the problem is that you're thinking of these plants as succulents rather than as Alpines. While they technically are succulents the care requirements for Alpines are different. The hot, dry June this year has been very tough on Alpines as they can tollerate short periods of drought but not the heat. If you've had them baking in the sun the stress might have stopped them making offsets.
    The basic rule with Alpines is 'face in the sun, feet in the shade' which just means try to keep the roots cool and never dry for too long.

    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • NaseemBanuNaseemBanu Posts: 72
    Wild edges, thank you for your message and advice. You're absolutely right, I have been thinking that they are succulents! However, I'm quite confused as often on many websites they are described as succulents or succulent alpines!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    London Pride grows in sun or shade here no problem. It's when it's short of moisture in sunny sites that it can struggle.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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